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If you’ve ever landed at Orlando International (MCO) with two tired kids, four suitcases, and a stroller that refuses to unfold, you know the “Orlando Wall.” It’s that moment you realize you still have 45 minutes of logistics between the baggage carousel and the hotel pool.
On our last trip, I decided I was officially done with the shuttle buses that stop at every single resort on property. I was also done with the “rideshare lottery,” where you pray the car that shows up is clean and actually has the car seats you requested. Instead, we tried The Genie Transportation Services, and I’m honestly never going back to the old way.
Here is the lowdown on why this was the best “parent hack” of our entire Disney vacation.
The Relief of the “Meet & Greet”
We decided to go for the Meet & Greet upgrade, and looking back, it was the best $20–$30 (check their current rates as it’s an extra fee) we spent.
Usually, my husband and I are playing a stressed-out game of “find the driver” via text while the kids run circles around the luggage. This time, our driver was standing right at the bottom of the baggage claim escalators holding a sign with our name. He took the heavy bags immediately and led us straight to the car. If you’ve ever struggled to find the “rideshare app” pickup zone in the Orlando heat, you know how much of a luxury this feels like.
Car Seats That Aren’t an Afterthought
As a mom, the biggest hurdle for me with airport cars is safety. I’ve had rideshares show up with “boosters” for my toddler or car seats that look like they haven’t been cleaned since the 90s.
The Genie is different. They provided complimentary, high-quality car seats that were already installed and properly sanitized before we even stepped inside. Knowing my kids were secure without me having to lug our own seats through the airport was the first moment I actually felt like I was on vacation.
Choosing Your Ride: More Than Just a Taxi
I was surprised by how many vehicle options they actually have. We chose the Genie Comfort (the Yukon XL) because we had a ton of luggage, but they have a “carriage” for basically every family size:
- Genie Express (VW Atlas): Perfect if it’s just two of you or a very small family traveling light.
- Genie Comfort (GMC Yukon XL): The “sweet spot” for most families. It fits 6 people and ha plenty of trunk space for the “I over-packed” crowd (guilty).
- Genie VIP (Cadillac Escalade ESV): If you want to arrive like a total rockstar. It fits 5 and is incredibly sleek.
- Genie XL (Mercedes Sprinter): This is the move if you’re traveling with grandparents or the whole extended family. It holds up to 12.
The “Direct to Resort” Advantage
The biggest perk? No extra stops. We were in our room at the Polynesian while families who got on the shared shuttles at the same time as us were likely still sitting at their third or fourth stop. The Genie monitors your flight in real-time, too. Our flight was delayed 40 minutes, and I didn’t even have to call; our driver was already tracked and waiting.
Quick Facts for Your Planning:
- MCO to Disney World: The drive is about 30–40 minutes.
- Safety First: Car seats (infant, toddler, or booster) are included for free.
- Meet & Greet: Totally worth the extra fee if you have a lot of bags or small kids.
- Other Stops: They also do transfers to Port Canaveral and Universal if you’re doing a split stay.
The Verdict
If you are looking for the cheapest possible way to get to Disney, take the bus. But if you want to save two hours of your life, keep your kids safe in proper car seats, and avoid the “where is our Uber?” panic, book The Genie Transportation Services. It was founded by an airline pro named Simone Cerasa, and you can tell—the whole process is built for people who are tired of typical airport friction.
Our vacation started the moment we met our driver, not three hours later. To me, that’s where the real magic is.